Remarks at an Afternoon Tea Party, Áras an Uachtaráin
Wednesday, 12th October, 2011
Dia dhíbh a chairde go léir. An bhfuil sibh go maith? We are delighted to extend a very warm céad míle fáitle to you to Áras an Uachtaráin today.
Martin and I have over the course of the last fourteen years been very privileged to travel the length and breath of this gorgeous island of ours and have met the most wonderful people - each unique, with their own talents, interests, background and stories. Today, instead of us going out, I am delighted that some of those wonderful people have come as guests to this house and I am very happy to say that you are all so very welcome.
I think we have almost the four corners of the country represented - some have travelled long distances to get here and others not so far but as each of you completed that journey by stepping over the threshhold of the front doors of Áras, you marked a special event in your own life’s story. And although you followed in the footsteps of the many heads of State, politicians, public representatives, ambassadors who have been guests to this house, the main story of the Áras is about you, the citizens of Ireland and most especially our seniors who have woven a rich tapestry in the life of this country.
They say that those who drink the water should remember those who dug the well, and I am delighted to thank you for all your hard work that formed the backbone of the Ireland of 2011 that is highly educated, confident, outwards looking and resilient. And although, we are experiencing challenging times with many of our young people forced to search out employment opportunities elsewhere, we know from the example that you yourselves set when you experienced hard times or suffered economic hardship on other occasions in Ireland’s past, that we are a resilient people, that we can and will pick ourselves up, that we will get past this and that the only way is forward. In fact, we will come back perhaps chastened but also wiser, stronger, and more equitable society than before.
Many of you are strangers to each other as yet but by the time you leave I hope that you will get to know each other a little better and perhaps to form some new friendships. By way of introduction we have a group from Dunloy including twins, Peggy Denvir and Kathleen Dooey who each won All Ireland Camogie medals playing for Antrim and a host of medals playing for Dunloy. We also have the Active Retirement Group from Blanchardstown and from Kilkenny, the New Market Senior Citizens Social Group. Also from Kilkenny, the South Kilkenny Historical Society - today making your own history with this visit to this house whose walls - if they could talk, could tell a tale or two! We also have members of the Emerald Girls Pipe band from Dublin who for many years have brought colour and wonderful music to many parades.
Thank you to those of you who set your clocks early to make the long journeys from Co. Down, Co. Donegal and Co. Cork. For those who could have a little bit of a lie in this morning thank you also to our guests from various parts of the capital including Balbriggan, Dun Laoghaire, Clondalkin, Balinteer, Firhouse, Phibsborough and from Capel Street in the heart of the city.
I am also delighted to welcome retired nurses from Monaghan - Anne Mohan and Mary Ward and my special guests today - Tom and Stephanie Heneghan from Roscommon.
Retirement or being senior far from being about putting your feet up - it’s more a case of doing different things and I know that many of you help out sons and daughters with child minding or DIY and are very active in your communities or helping family members that are ill. It’s not all serious stuff however, you make time for the fun stuff also, the round of golf or two, the midweek breaks, the meeting with friends, the walks in the park, the chats with the neighbour, the bowls or the bridge clubs - so many things to fill up and enrich your days . For many of you, your lives are fuller now than ever before and you probably ask yourselves how did you manage to fit in work.
I would like to thank our very talented entertainers, Jennifer Hughes mezzo soprano accompanied on piano by her father Frank Hughes. Many thanks also to our first aiders John Gold and Josephine McGlinchey from the Civil Defence and to all the Áras team who have been working hard to make your visit an enjoyable and memorable one.
Please enjoy today, enjoy this historic house, enjoy the company of those you came with and enjoy meeting new friends. May you all have a safe journey home, packed with happy memories and a story or two to tell.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.